THE MYTHS AND FACTS OF POP WARNER WEEK AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Like Jersey Week, Pop Warner week is more of a mythological problem than a real one.
Pop Warner week is the period–for the last thirteen years, the first full week of December–when Disney hosts Pop Warner football and cheer and dance championships at its ESPN complex.
In 2015, it will be from the 5th through the 12th, and in 2016, based on past practice, it will be from December 3rd through December 10th.
As a result
- Larger numbers than usual of loosely supervised adolescents loudly populate several of the resorts–typically the All-Star resorts, but also a moderate or two.
- Evening crowds in the theme parks are a tad higher than they otherwise would be (the kids and their families compete during the day)
HOW MUCH TO WORRY ABOUT POP WARNER
Pop Warner has no material effect on Disney World theme park crowds.
Resorts (particularly the All-Star resorts) that the kids are in can be louder–much louder–and more boisterous than otherwise.
If you have attended a high-school football game, and watched the crowds of kids walking around, you’ll get a sense of the level of noise and horseplay that can ensue.
The horseplay sometimes shifts into fights. Parents of teenage boys playing contact sports will not be surprised by this.
The key for first-time family visitors in a value or moderate resort during Pop Warner week is to request a quiet room far from the pools. Families that have success with this should not see much impact from Pop Warner on their trip.
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24 Comments on "Pop Warner Week at Walt Disney World"
Lacie, the 14th will be quite crowded at MK, but not becasue of Pop. It’s becasue that’s the only day in a stretch of 4 when MK is open after than 7 and presenting the evening program.
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I planned on going for a quick weekend, dec 13-16 and planned to visit magic kingdom on the 14th (the last day of the pop warner). Would it be less crowded because they are all leaving or do they tend to stay into that weekend?
Hi Karen, the dates of 2013 Pop were hard to predict–I had them wrong (that same week the cast member gave you) for a bit too. But, as you note, you should be fine anyway!!
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Hi Nicole, and I’m so glad the site helped! I think your dates of the 11-16 will be just fine! See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/19/2013-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/
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